Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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How To Install A Stair Runner

It may seem intimidating to install a stair runner yourself, but it’s so darn easy that we’ve done it twice! Thrice if you count demonstrating it on live TV (more on that later). Just follow the steps in our tutorial below, including our trick for making sure your rug is the perfect size for the project.

Finish Sisal Stair Runner On Staircase With Kitchen In Background

Adding a rug or runner to your stairs isn’t just a stylish decor choice that can add color, personality, or pattern. It’s also a safety feature! We find that adding a stair runner cuts down on slips, falls, and even makes it easier for our dog to traverse them. They also absorb sound, meaning your less likely to hear your kid clomping up and down the steps. So we highly recommend adding one if you’ve got young children, pets, or even just clumsy adults around.

DIY Stair Runner Before & Afters

The first time we installed a stair runner, it was to replace a dingy carpet runner that came with the house. You can see in the photos below that we not only livened up the stairs with a bold striped rug, we also modernized the steps by painting the risers, trim, & balusters white and staining the wood handrails dark.

Striped Stair Runner Before And After

For our second install, here in our current home, we used a beachy sisal runner instead. We also painted the treads a wary gray to brighten them up.

Before And After Sisal Stair Runner Installation

The “third” stair runner we added was for a DIY segment we taped for The Rachael Ray Show. We only shot about 3 staples on camera, but we prepped the small fake staircase backstage. It’s too bad we didn’t get to do a whole staircase. That runner is cute!

Ep70 Rachael Ray Show Young House Love

Overall, you have lots of ways you can customize this project to suit your style and your stairs. So let’s dive into the tutorial!

Tools, Materials, & Cost

Here are the supplies and tools you should have handy to install your own stair runner:

This doesn’t have to be an expensive project either. Our first runner installation cost less than $300! It mostly depends on the runner you choose and how much you need.

Steps To Install A Stair Runner

Our project in total took us about 20 hours, but that also included removing the old runner and painting the risers and railings. The actual stair runner install only took about 4 hours, although may depend on the length of your stairs. We’ll go into each step in more detail, but here’s an overview of the process:

  1. Remove your old runner (if needed)
  2. Measure
  3. Select a runner
  4. Paint or stain your stairs (optional)
  5. Mark your placement
  6. Cut the rug pad
  7. Prepare your staples
  8. Start at the top
  9. Connect two runners (if needed)
  10. Finish the bottom edge

Step 1: Remove your old runner

Side By Side Of Process Of Removing Old Carpet From Stairs

This step only applies if you have an existing rug, runner, or carpet on your stairs that needs to go. This process may take time – especially getting all of the old stapes up! We counted nearly 600 staples in our old carpet. We have a separate stair runner removal tutorial for this, including what tools you’ll want to help get that old carpeting off.

Step 2: Measure

Before buying your runner, you’ll need to measure how much you’ll need. As with any rug, the important measurements are length and width. Knowing this will also help you determine if you can purchase a stock size or need to order something custom.

Measuring runner length

We suggest using a string or flexible measuring tape to determine the length of one step. This means riser + tread, including around the front bullnose edge. Multiply this measurement by the number of steps you have, and then add 10-15% extra. Having too much material is easier to deal with than not having enough!

Measuring runner width

Measuring Tape Checking Placement Of Sisal Stair Runner

Most stair runners don’t go wall-to-wall. Instead, they leave about 2-3″ exposed on either side (see above). This number is personal preference, and it may be dictated by stock sizes. Measure the width of your narrowest stair, and subtract 4-6″ to get your runner width. Just be mindful that many staircases “flare” at the bottom, so make sure whatever width you choose will fit and look good from top to bottom.

Step 3: Select a runner

Virtually any carpet or rug can be turned into DIY stair runner. However, we suggest choosing something that will be durable and easy to clean, especially if your stairway gets lots of foot traffic. Indoor/outdoor rugs and natural fiber rugs like wool or cotton are great for these reasons. We also suggest something low pile, since they are easier to keep clean. We have used both stock and custom runners for our stairs.

Using a stock runner

For our striped runner, we used a rug from Annie Selke (formerly Dash & Albert) because they are known for their durability. They also have tons of patterns and colors, and most styles come in a variety of sizes. We used two 2.5′ x 8′ Birmingham runners, but they now also sell a 20-foot version and as a customizable size. After 7 years of use, we can vouch that it held up great (apart from some fading from sun) and felt quite soft underfoot!

Screenshot of Annie Selke Website Birmingham Rug

Stock runners are typically cheaper, but they may require more ingenuity to fit precisely to your space. Don’t worry – we’ll show you how!

Using a custom runner

For our sisal runner, we ordered a custom outdoor rug from Sisal Rugs. This gave us great control over the exact look – we picked the color, border material, border color, size, etc – and only cost us slightly about $100 more than 2 Annie Selke rugs would’ve at the time.

Screenshot of Sisal Rugs Direct Belize Rug

We have been equally happy with both types of rugs we’ve used – stock vs custom, cotton vs sisal, bold vs neutral – so you should feel good about choosing whatever is best for you.

Step 4: Paint or Stain Your Stairs

If your stair makeover plans include any painting, staining, or other potentially messy updates: do them now! You don’t want to have to worry about dripping a new rug later!

Before we added our striped runner, we stained the handrail a darker color and painted the balusters, trim, and risers white. These were somewhat time-consuming tasks, so they are great to tackle while you’re waiting for your rug order to arrive.

Side by Side of Painting Railing Baluster and Stair Riser White

Before adding our sisal runner, we decided to paint the stair treads a warm gray to cover up some discoloration in the stain. We used this Porch & Floor Enamel in Requisite Gray by Sherwin-Williams. It didn’t require a primer and has held up great!

View Of Gray Painted Stair Treads From Above

This also is a great time to do any other repairs to the stairs – like if you have a loose or squeaky tread, or need to fix any nearby molding.

Step 5: Mark Your Placement

Once you’re ready to install your runner, start by marking its placement on every step. This will help make sure it stays straight and doesn’t drift to the side as you install it. We used a measuring tape and painter’s tape to mark the edges along each tread, which you can see below.

Painters Tape On Steps To Mark Runner Location

Alternatively, you can check your placement with a ruler or measuring tape as you go. We just found it faster to tape down guides at the start of the project.

Step 6: Cut The Rug Pad

You’ll want a rug pad under your runner to (1) provide more cushion and (2) keep the runner in place. If you don’t want extra cushion, you can use carpet tape instead. We have used both a felt rug pad and a rubber rug pad with equal success. Just make sure whichever you choose has a non-slip design. Both are sold in multiple sizes, including runner lengths, and don’t need to be very thick (we use 1/8″ depth).

Cut Piece Of Foam Rug Pad Placed Under Sisal Stair Runner

We prefer to use the rug pad ONLY on the tread surface (not the vertical riser). This saves money and also prevents unnecessary bulk against the riser. But it does require some time upfront to cut the rug pad into strips. Luckily they usually cut easily with household scissors. We leave it long enough to wrap around the front nose of the stair.

Overhead view of stairs with runner with rug pad

We leave enough overhang so the rug pad can wrap around the bullnose of each step, as you can tell above.

Step 7: Prepare Your Staples

Here comes the weird step, but we promise it’s worth it! After some trial and error, we found an electric staple gun designed for upholstery projects to be the most effective way to secure a stair runner. A hand-powered staple gun was too light-duty. We needed something with more oomph!

John Stapling Sisal Runner Under Lip of Stair Tread

The drawback to this approach is that your staples may be visible UNLESS you take the time to color them first. I know it sounds weird, but trust us. It works!

Strips of Staples Colored Gold With Sharpie Marker

For our sisal runner, we used a gold Sharpie to roughly color a strip of staples before loading them into the stapler. For our black and white runner, we did the same thing with a black Sharpie.

Using Sharpie to color staples black

Matching the exact color of your rug is not important because the main benefit of this approach is that it removes the SHINE of the staples. The staples were mostly visible when they catch the light, so the Sharpie ink dulls them enough that they camouflage into the pattern of the rug.

Coloring one big strip of staples before you put them in the stapler is much faster than doing it individually after they’re stuck into your rug. But you can test it on a few stapled staples first if you want to determine what color offers the best disguise.

Step 8: Start At The Top

Begin stapling your runner under the lip at the top of your staircase. Take your time to position your runner precisely – keeping the top edge flush, and your edges aligned with your tape markings. Use the electric staple gun to secure it at each edge and about 4-5 places in the middle. Your rug’s pattern may determine where best to place your staples so they are as hidden as possible. You can also go back and add more staples later if it is sagging anywhere. The important part now is to just get it attached.

Sherry using electric staple gun to apply stapes to black and white runner under first tread

With the runner stapled along the top, pull it tight against the riser and staple along the bottom into the RISER, not the TREAD. At no point during this process will you need to nail into the treads. This way you don’t have to worry about bare feet ever feeling cold metal.

Electric staple gun securing runner to the bottom of the top first risier

Next, pull the runner tight along the tread and repeat this process, starting with another row of staples under the lip of the next tread.

Yellow Electric Stapler Attaching Runner Under Lip Of Stair Tread

Use your judgment as to where & how many staples are needed to hold your runner tight to the stairs. With our sisal runner (above) we had two “lips” under each tread, so we had to do two rows of staples along the top of each step. Also, don’t fret if you need to remove a misfired staple now and again. Just keep some needlenose pliers handy.

Needlenose Pliers Removing Staple On Sisal Stair Runner

Continue this process, working down your stairs towards the bottom. Just remember to keep pulling your runner tight and make sure it’s not drifting to one side as you go. Oh, and don’t forget to put down your rug pad strips as you go.

Rug Pad On Steps During DIY Stair Runner Installation

Also, we find the electric staple gun works best when you apply pressure to the back of it as you fire. This helps the staples sink deeper into the swood.

Step 9: Connect Two Runners

If one runner won’t reach the bottom of your stairs, it’s easy to seamlessly connect two separate runners. The best way to do this is to hide the transition under the lip of a tread. Use scissors to cut off any extra material from your first runner so that it terminates under the lip.

Using scissors to trim off excess runner

Staple that cut end right under the bullnose edge of the tread, just as you have been doing.

stapling the end of first runner under one tread in order to start the next

Then attach the second runner under the lip, just like you did with the first runner at the top of your stairs. From there, you can continue down your stairs with the second runner. Here is a finished picture of our stairs. Can you find the spot where one runner ends and the other begins?

Black and White Striped Stair Runner After

You can kinda see it there about 3 steps up. The transition is not 100% undetectable, but it’s so subtle you only really notice it if you’re looking for it.

Step 9: Finish The Bottom Edge

Once you get to the bottom, use scissors to cut off any excess material – leaving about an extra inch of material. Fold this extra bit back under the runner and staple it into the bottom of the rise. This fold gives a cleaner, even edge on the bottom (since some runners will fray slightly when cut).

detail of how bottom of runner is folded to hide cut seam

And just like that, you’ve finished your stair runner installation!

Before And After of Stair Runner From Top of Stairs

You can read more specifics about installing our sisal stair runner, and see more before & after pictures of that space.

Stair Runner FAQs

Here are answers to other questions we frequently get about installing a stair runner.

How well do stair runners hold up?

Bright Foyer With Edgecomb Gray Paint On Walls

Our stair runners have held up very well, even with busy kids & pets in the house. Like any rug or carpet, they require regular vacuuming and the occasional stain removal. But as long as you choose a durable material like an indoor/outdoor polypropylene rug or a natural fiber rug, you should have little trouble. We lived with our striper runner for over 7 years before moving, and we only experienced light fading at the bottom (where it got lots of sunlight) and some small, but barely noticeable, fraying on the nose of a step or two.

Do stair runners damage the stairs?

When you install a stair runner, you will put small staple holes in your stair risers. A stair runner also may cause your paint or stain finish to fade unevenly, due to the steps being partially covered. However, both of these can be remedied with wood putty and a fresh coat of paint or stain.

What are the advantages of a stair runner?

In addition to improving the look of your stairs, you’re also making your steps safer and quieter when you install a stair runner. Rugs absorb sound and cut down on the noise of loud footsteps. They also are less slick than wood steps, which makes slips and falls less common.

How do stair runners stay in place?

Stair runners stay in place thanks to a combination of staples and rug pads. The staples hold the rug tight to each riser, helping it form to the shape of the staircase. Rug pads under the tread keep it from moving underfoot. Alternatively, you can use stair carpet rods to hold the rug tight to the riser.

What are alternatives to a stair runner?

In our historic beach home, we didn’t want to install a permanent stair runner. We used two alternate solutions to help our dog not slip on the stairs. On our front steps, we used non-slip sisal treads held in place with carpet tape. On our back stairs, we used clear non-slip treads for a nearly invisible look.

*This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

Comments

  1. Mel says

    Also, this totally makes me want to rip out the carpet on my stairs. Not sure the landlord would approve, though. ;) Very nice job!

    Reply

  4. heyruthie says

    John, with all the mention of “high-fives” and “high-contrast,” in this post about your stair runner, and with y’all’s fabulous penchant for puns…I’m re-naming this post “Runner’s High” in honor of your running career! Speaking of–it’s fall! I ran a 5K yesterday! I’m ready for another running post from you!! I love them.

    Reply

  5. bella says

    I don’t think my first comment went through. If it did and I’m just not seeing it, I apologize for the repeat love that I am giving to this stairway update. Everything looks fantastic, and classy, and it looks like a very doable straightforward update. So much so that I will be sending this to my husband as a little hint. ;)

    Reply

  7. Elizabeth T. says

    This foyer has undergone quite an impressive transformation, beautiful. The post title also ties in nicely with the fact that it’s Veterans Day!

    Reply

  8. Blakely says

    Beautiful!! Did y’all contemplate staining the newel posts? I must say, the way it blends with the door trim in the last picture bums me out a little.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We debated that a while! The paragraph and photo above the budget breakdown explain why we went for paint in the end (from the top of the steps it looks more balanced that way).

      xo
      s

  10. Amy says

    What a great title for a post on Veteran’s Day…happy accident or not, I think it was meant to be! Thanks to everyone who has served or will be called to in the future. If you are reading this post today, we truly appreciate you!!!

    Reply

  11. Milly says

    Here I am…under 155 comments…triyng to reach out my hand.Oh well! Just wanted to congrat once more, on the result of this project!I’m not a huge fan of stripes, but I just love the result.

    Love,
    Milly

    Reply

  13. Gem says

    Love this! Especially the two-tone dark rails with the lighter treads.

    I do look at this and wonder if you’re planning on putting hardboard in the entrance area though? Or are you gonna stick with the tile?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We’re afraid we’ll never perfectly match the hardwood in the office and dining room (both of which the foyer connects to) so we’re leaning towards perhaps some pretty heated tile when we redo the kitchen (we can carry that our from the kitchen to the foyer and half bathroom when we tackle that).

      xo
      s

  15. Lynn @ Our Useful Hands says

    I miss stairs! :-) This came out beautifully. I love the layering of different wood tones. It adds all that visual interest that will have your guests breaking their necks trying to take it all in at once. I love it! Question: what do you use to clean your stain filled brush after use? Or do you have 1 brush you use all the time just for stain?

    My best, Lynn
    *thanks for the news link. The world is crazy! I hope none of your family was at the Jersey mall for that shooting last week Sherry

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thankfully none of my family was there, but it was so scary. As for the brush, we do have one we tend to use for that (it’s less pristine) and we clean it with mineral spirits.

      xo
      s

  16. Carla says

    I’m really loving the dark espresso stain on the railings. It looks fantastic, and I’m glad you didn’t stain the tops of the stairs. It’s a nice contrast and fun!

    Reply

  17. Rachel D. says

    You guys are so inspiring! I love how your stairs turned out and for such a low cost. Seriously! I know you hear this a lot, but I am so very inspired by you guys and I’m thankful for your posts!

    Reply

  18. Lindsay says

    I like the runner, but I’m not a fan of staining the handrail a different shade than the stair treads and other wood floors in your house. It really makes no sense at all.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We added an update to the post about why we did that (it ties into the dark stripes in the runner, the star chandelier, the dark console in the foyer, and even the dark hardware on all of our doors). It’s not for everyone, but we’re cool with wood tones that coordinate without all matching (for example, a mid-toned wood floor with a gorgeous espresso table on it).

      xo
      s

  19. Tori says

    I am local to richmond, and I absolutely adore your house! I love the updates y’all have done! I totally wish I could have y’all redo our house :) I recently redid a playroom for our kids that was inspired a little but by y’all:)

    Reply

  24. Leslie Christine says

    I’m in the process of pulling up all my old carpet and putting in all new flooring upstairs, the stairs, and downstairs. I never knew how yucky old carpet could be! I never would have thought to do a runner on the stairs, and am now considering it thanks to you guys! I feel like it adds so much personality and character. Just wanted to give you kids a shout out for the great idea! Woot!

    Reply

  25. Jessica says

    What kind of tape is the yellow tape? Is it special tape for staining? I have been wanting to stain some trim a darker color and was wondering if such a thing as stainer’s tape exists.

    Reply

  26. Nancy says

    We also stained our railing (and newel post in our case) a much darker color than the stairs. I think it looks awesome. Everything does NOT have to be matchy matchy!

    Reply

  27. Jessica says

    I love it. It really makes a huge difference and I really had to hunt for the seam. Just wanted to say that I really appreciate that you’ve recently started including a rough estimate of materials costs for things you already have on hand. I don’t have a garage stocked full of paint and other supplies, so it’s good to get a more accurate figure of what it would cost me to buy everything.

    Reply

  29. Sarah R says

    Wow! I wasn’t sure that I liked it when you showed what kind you got a few weeks ago, but now I LOVE it!! Great job!! I wouldn’t change a thing. Man, I wish I lived in Richmond so that you could help me do my projects. You look so professional!!

    Sarah

    Reply

  32. Juliana says

    Um seriously, might have to copy you… We have wood stairs and I would love something a little softer and slip proof… Love, love, lovvvveee the black and white!!!

    Reply

  33. Allison says

    Looks great – though reconsider your decision to paint the newell post of the banister white. It would look so much better from every angle (upstairs looking down, and looking across in the foyer) to have continued the black stain. The white looks odd/wrong.

    Reply

  34. Alicia says

    Looks great! Will you guys be installing a quarter round under the bottom step? In that last close-up photo it looks like there’s a decent sized gap, but I’m guessing it’s not noticeable in person? Or are you waiting until you figure out your floor situation?

    Reply

  35. Nora says

    Hi, Love the look. I will be attempting the same project and am a little nervous. I was told to use metal bars/stays across the inside seam of each step, in addition to nailing. I have 4 sets of stairs to do on an open staircase that runs from the top floor to the basement. That’s a lot of rods. Have you heard of this?
    Why didn’t you use this method?
    Thanks

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That’s another way to go, but from what we have read (even from sources like This Old House and HGTV) the “upholstery” method without them is often used by pros as well as DIYers. We just like the cleaner look (and that additional hardware can get pricey).

      xo
      s

  36. Mindy says

    MEOW!!! Good work guys, it’s beautiful! I’m pretty jealous of the wood stairs. I love the contrast of the white paint. I’ll dream of wood stairs in a future house. :)

    Reply

  37. Diane says

    I love, love,love the stairs. The foyer picture looks so elegant what a great job. I love how slowly but surely your projects come together. It makes me remember patience is the key word for a great finish.

    Reply

  38. Kelly says

    I think your entryway is my favorite room of any room ever. I could start a Pinterest board just for the things I want to copy from that room!

    Reply

  39. Bree says

    Holy Mother !!!!
    it looks SO GOOD :D

    Bf and I are currently on a house hunt and I cannot wait to have my own place … you guys have inspired me to want to do so many projects I cant wait ! <3

    Reply

  40. lauren says

    I’m not sure if you answered this already, I tried to read as many comments as possible to see. Did you mention why you didn’t stain the stairs the dark color like you did the banister? I have a feeling it’s because it wouldn’t make the runner pop as much. Just wanted to hear what the thoughts were going into that. Thanks so much! LOOKS FABULOUS!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We just added an update to the post about that for ya! Essentially it’s because at the top of the steps we have an entire floor of hardwoods in the same color as the stairs, so darkening the stairs would make for a big color change up top, but we prefer a more seamless look.

      xo
      s

  43. Sheryl says

    Oh you Petersiks have done it again! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!! Looks modern and classic at the same time.

    What does Clara think of the new stairs (and has Burger even noticed?).

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      She’s so funny! Her favorite thing is to look at the dark railing and say “is it wet?!” (because during drying time we told her that so she’s obsessed with checking that it’s dry). She has also had fun counting stripes and Burger flies up and down them like a maniac.

      xo
      s

  44. Lauren says

    I’m having some real issues with staining right now. I sanded and stained an old chair. I used minwax and it said to only let it sit like 5-10 minutes, but I wanted it DARK so I let it sit… 20… well… when I got back to the chair it was sticky and tacky. SEVEN DAYS LATER it’s finally dry. Finally! But I’m scared a/b sealing. Should I just make sure it’s an ultra thin coat? I also did it outside when it was cold, let it sit out overnight (colder) (but I have a 1 and 2 year old and wasn’t about to bring it indoors). What do you think? I have pics over on my blog if you want to see. Thanks!

    Reply

  45. Sarah says

    This is exactly, precisely, the look I have been hoping to achieve on my stairs. However, we have a sort of unusual old-house-dangerous-curved staircase to work with. How hard do you think it would be to achieve this look on stairs that are more triangular and curved? Did you happen to come across any good tutorials for handling that in your research?

    Reply

  46. Melanie says

    First of all, I just wanted to tell you I LOVE YOUR BLOG! I read it everyday and have read back quite a bit as well! Your style really inspires me!

    I have a Question for you guys:

    We are planning on painting our risers white as we’ll but we’re told we had to sand them first, do you sand them? Would you recommend we do?

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ours were chalky and matte so we went right to primer and paint, but if yours are glossy or slick it’s always smart to sand and even wipe them down with a liquid deglosser before moving onto primer.

      xo
      s

  47. Robyn says

    LOVE!!!! We are (hopefully!) moving into a house with stairs next month. Normally I wouldn’t have given making over the stairs a second thought. However, after seeing this transformation, it is DEFINITELY on our to do list! You guys did a fantastic job!!

    Reply

  50. Rachel says

    Great job, guys! It looks unbelievable! I love how different the tread looks with the contrasting black and white instead of the dingy brown color. I know you guys used the rejuvenate as well – I’m glad to see you’re still happy with that? We just moved into our house with thirsty wooden floors and so we’re going to try to use that to freshen up our floors before Thanksgiving guests!

    Reply

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